Is Egg Yolk Dangerous for the Heart?

Medical Video: Are eggs good for you?

Besides being very easy to get, eggs are one of the most useful foods. You can cook eggs for side dishes, vegetables, cakes, even drinks. Unfortunately, eggs are usually considered a source of cholesterol and a trigger for heart disease, especially the yolk. Because of the spread of myths about the dangers of egg yolk, people also avoid them and only want to consume egg whites. Egg white is believed to contain protein and potassium which is richer than egg yolk. In fact, if you remove the egg yolk, you will lose a lot of important nutrients that are not in egg white. Then which one is healthier for the body: just eating whole eggs or egg whites? Check out the answer below.

Is egg yolk really a danger to heart health?

Many people avoid eating egg yolks because the content of cholesterol and saturated fat is believed to increase the risk of heart disease. In fact, this myth came from a study conducted in the 1910s. In the study, it was found that there was an association between saturated fat and heart disease, although it was never really proven that the relationship was cause and effect. The research was also not carried out with human subjects, but rabbits that certainly had different biological structures and nutritional needs.

Fortunately, various studies and research carried out lately managed to break down the myth. Through an experiment in which participants were asked to consume eggs regularly every day for six weeks (with a portion added each week), a study published in the International Medical Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research in 2007 revealed that whole eggs did not increase the risk of stroke and heart disease. Another study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2010 also confirmed that saturated fat does not have a direct link to coronary heart disease, stroke, or similar heart problems.

As reported by TIME, cardiologist at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Luc Djoussé also do not miss in breaking the myth of the danger of egg yolk for cholesterol levels and heart health in a study published in the journal Circulation.

Nutrition in egg yolks

Egg yolks do contain cholesterol and saturated fat. However, this part of the egg also has a content that is rich in fat soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K. Saturated fats will help the body store these vitamins so that their function is more durable. The functions of fat-soluble vitamins include maintaining healthy skin, regulating metabolism, and producing energy. After all, eating one whole egg won't add to your weight.

No need to fear the cholesterol content of one whole egg. You must understand that cholesterol is also produced naturally by the liver, so if you don't get enough cholesterol, your body will increase cholesterol production automatically. By consuming whole eggs, cholesterol levels in the body will be more balanced.

Beyond the problem of cholesterol and saturated fat that makes many people worry, egg yolks also store a variety of important nutrients such as vitamin B, fatty acids, choline which is good for brain and muscle health, and beta carotene needed for eye health. For those of you who lack blood, the iron content in the yolk can naturally trigger blood production in the body.

Is it healthier to eat whole eggs or just egg whites?

As long as you maintain a balanced diet and lifestyle, eating whole eggs is certainly better because your body will get more complete nutrition than if you only eat the egg white. However, if you are really worried about cholesterol and fat levels in the body, you should focus on consuming more fruits and vegetables and limit your consumption of whole eggs. Make sure you don't eat more than two whole eggs a day.

According to Dr. Robert Eckel from the University of Colorado School of Medicine, USA, the reason why egg yolks are so feared by many people is because eggs are so often found in daily food menus. He also added that any food consumed in excess would certainly pose certain risks. So, as long as you can control a heart-friendly diet, you don't need to be afraid to eat egg yolk anymore.

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